Professional Learning

Educators new to Lexington begin a three-year induction program, which includes mentoring, workshops, and for-credit coursework that engages participants in learning about the policies, programs, and school communities, effective pedagogy, and cultural proficiency. The After-School Professional Learning Program offers learning opportunities ranging from short two-hour workshops to two-credit courses in a variety of topics, geared towards educators from PreK-12. Course offerings change each semester, and address content area learning, students with special needs, teaching English Language Learners, social-emotional development, project-based learning, Response to Intervention, cultural proficiency, technology integration, and more. While some courses are taught by external facilitators, many of our courses are developed and taught by Lexington teacher-leaders.

In addition to 4 half-day professional learning opportunities throughout the year, LPS has one full-day professional learning event, Lexington Learns Together. This is a day where Lexington educators offer learning sessions for their peers, in an area of particular passion or expertise. Educators who have attended a professional conference, or worked with a coach on a special project, or took a graduate course in a pedagogical approach, may propose a learning session to share with colleagues. Lexington Learns Together is a beloved event in the Lexington school community, as it highlights and shares the expertise of our educators, and offers faculty and staff voice and choice in determining the professional learning most relevant to their work.

Professional Learning is provided in multiple formats and does not only involve formal coursework and workshops. In our increasing effort to provide embedded PL that lives in classroom practice day-to-day and helps teachers transfer information and knowledge acquired in theory to practical in-classroom use, curriculum specialists provide coaching, staff lead Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and building-based Data Teams provide the opportunity for teachers and administrators to exchange information on best practices, to review student data, and respond with appropriate teaching interventions to ensure that student needs are met.

Even with all the variations in how PL is delivered, the heart of the Lexington Public Schools’ Professional Learning Program is focused on increasing teacher skills and practices that advance students’ academic achievement and social-emotional well-being. The needs of teachers and administrators new to Lexington, as well as the needs of our experienced, veteran teachers and administrators, must be continuously addressed through a comprehensive, tiered system of professional learning that is guided by our strategic plan, mission, and vision.